BACKGROUND Standard methods for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) management of anastomotic strictures (AS) after OLT includes repeated balloon dilation of the stricture with subsequent insertion of a plastic biliary stent (PBS). In post-OLT patients not responding to standard endoscopic treatment, the placement of fully covered self-expanding metal stents (FCSEMS) is a valid alternative to surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the results of new FCSEMS implantation with the standard ERCP stricture management protocol and with conventional FCSEMS insertion. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study involved 39 post-OLT patients with confirmed diagnosis of biliary AS. Enrolled subjects were divided into 2 groups: the FCSEMS group (study group) and the PBS group (control group). The study group was divided into 2 subgroups: the conventional FCSEMS group and the new-type FCSEMS group. RESULTS Stricture recurrence after PBS placement was observed in 36.36% of controls and in only 9.52% of study group members (P=0.170). Recurrence rates in patients after conventional FCSEMS and new type FCSEMS implantation was similar (10% vs. 9.09%; P=0.501). The applied treatment was successful in 82.61% of study group members and only 43.75% of controls (P=0.029). Success rates of conventional FCSEMS and new-type SEMS insertion did not differ significantly (81.82% vs. 83.33%, P=0.649). There was no statistically significant difference in complication rates between groups (P=0.879). CONCLUSIONS Implantation of FCSEMS is more effective than repeated balloon dilatation of AS with subsequent PBS placement and is they have similar complication rates. Application of new-type FCSEMS gives results comparable to conventional FCSEMS.

Background: Anastomotic biliary strictures (BSs) are among the most common complications after liver transplantation (LT), accounting for 5–15% of adult recipients after deceased-donor transplantation. For some reason, this percentage increased in our center in recent years, and the goal of this study was to find out the reasons behind this to avoid this complication in the future. Material and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the occurrence of anastomotic biliary strictures in 230 cadaveric-donor LTs performed in our center between January 2019 and December 2023. Many variables related to the donor, recipient, and surgical procedure were compared between patients who experienced BS and those without this complication. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test, a one-way ANOVA test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: Altogether, 51 patients (22.17%) developed BSs. This percentage was especially high in 2023 (32%). The only significant differences found in study group compared to the control group were the requirement of additional doses of vasopressors during surgery (45 (86.53%) vs. 138 (77.09%), p = 0.0001) and more frequent instances of reperfusion syndrome (8/51 (15.68%) vs. 11/179 (6.11%), p = 0.00001). Conclusions: We conclude that ischemia during LT has an advantage over technical parameters in the development of BSs after LT. Appropriate blood volume resuscitation as opposed to inotropic treatment may reduce the risk of this complication.